Of all the defaults available, why can't we default "offset #" to 0, not -1?

THe Haas alarm "H and T numbers not matching" has saved my a$$ a dozen times!!!

I helix ramp as large as possible, while avoiding a xxxx left at the bottom, like you are doing. The larger the bore, the better the chip evacuation. Like Keith says, don't be afraid to push it. Too light a cut on entry may dull up the endmill before you even get to the bottom and start cutting. If you can, pre-drill a pilot hole and plunge the endmill straight down, then start cutting.

My X6 install DVD's box just showed up in the mail. I took out the new mouse pad, left the rest inside, and put the box away. I never, never, never install a new release until the bug b!tching calms down. It doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon. I do want to thank those of you who have spoken up on the issues plaguing this release. I'm sorry for the frustrations you face, but thank you for helping others avoid the same headaches. For whatever "breakthroughs" CNC has hyped up on this version, it's not worth the downtime for the programming I do. I'm doing just fine with X5 MU1, and don't need any hiccups. Right now, i only have to watch for tool numbers changing and height offsets not matching. I'll stick with just that problem.

I like Onsrud. They work great for me and have, just about, any corner rad you'd need.

Density can change between grades, lots, binders, grain size. Depending on how accurate you need, it may be up to you to determine the density of a specific piece once you have the size you want. You may have tungsten, cobalt, nickel, or silicon carbide. Silicon carbide is way lighter, but not typically used for tooling, mostly seal rings. The density will change depending on binder percentage, type, and grain size. Also can be manufacturer specific "flavors", if you will. A few examples: 6% cobalt standard grain size = 14.80-15.00 g/cm3 15% cobalt standard grain size = 13.90-14.10 g/cm3 12% nickel standard grain size = 14.25-14.45 g/cm3

Before that, try changing your arc settings. I just drew the arc your machine is stuttering on, it's a few thou from 360 degrees. Try arc settings before changing your tol's, or maybe a combination.

I don't know if this will help, but here's my settings for my TM-2. I've used the MPMaster as a base for TM-1, TM-2, VF-2SS, EC-400, EC-300 and never had that alarm. If these settings work for you, give them a try. If not, it may be something in the post.

can you post the line(s) of code that cause the problem, details of what toolpath(s), and filtering used/not used? Might give some more insight.

It's happened to me before, but not for probably a good year. I found out what was happening and causing the problem. I would usually be adjusting the parameters on a toolpath and be in another dialogue box, tool parameter for example. I would adjust the parameters in dialogue box number 2 and forget to green check out before hitting the green check in the first dialogue box. The first one would close, but the second one would be stuck on the screen, like it didn't know where to go, and lock up mastercam. Been a while and i can't be sure exactly what functions i was in that caused it, at the time. It was definitely jumping the gun on closing certain functions in the wrong order, though.

Here they be...... THREAD_MILL_TUTORIAL.MCX-5 Thread_milling_tutorial.doc

I spent some time and created a tutorial for thread milling. It's probably different than how most people do it, much of my stuff usually is. I'm just a self-taught hack who relies on the great people of this forum for help when I'm stuck. Anyhow, one file is a .mcx file, one is a word document with the steps i use. I uploaded it to the ftp site in the training files folder (i think i did, anyway). I will also include them as an attachment to this topic. I only ask two things: 1- If you already know what you're doing, can you take a quick peek at the word document and let me know if I messed up anywhere? 2- If you don't know, and you use it, and it works or you're confused somewhere, also let me know? thanks.

do a search on the forum. It's been discussed many times and useful information would likely still be available. I've described the way I do it and, for me anyhow, it works awesomely. If you still have trouble, i'll try to post up a step by step how i do it. My way is a bit more anal than most, but it works great and you always get an accurate verify from it. I'll try to throw something together, if time permits.

That can't be a real shop! It's way too clean and organized.

Just my 2 cents, for whatever it's worth. I'm no superstar and don't claim to be. I do feel pretty confident in what i do and my capabilities with the software. No, I'm not doing complex 5-axis die cavities with opti-rough, high-speed machining (cool-a$$ stuff). I make mostly easy money parts and am pretty bored most of the time. When i get something crazy with complex surfaces, it's a miracle. I don't run into many of the bugs that most of you do, but i'm not using the particular toolpaths you do, in most cases, for the same applications. Over the years, i've run into some bugs; some replicated, some not, some persistent, some not. There are many factors that contribute to bugs, I understand that and understand it can be frustrating for CNC Software to track them down. However, though i don't participate much in the "bug" topics, I do read through them quite a bit. I have learned that most of the complaints have been from the same users with the same issues, over and over again. From a user's standpoint, it is understandable to be frustrated to have the same problems, every release, while paying maintenance and being told every year that "It's on the list and will be fixed next release." Yes, new features and toolpath options are helpful, but not when the bugs keep compounding year after year. I never install a new release until the complaints wind down and most of the major headaches are taken care of for this reason. It's been stated before and i don't understand why it has not been instituted. A logged bug site link on the forum, must have a valid license to view. It's not rocket science and it would, at least, give users some honest, viewable feedback as to where the bugs are on the list and if/when they'll be worked on. There has to be some give and take on both sides, but when the software has the same bugs for the same people on the same applications release upon release, why would anyone at CNC Software expect them to not look for a more efficient alternative for what they are doing? Just my useless opinion....

should be using rotary axis substitution

I've used it for chamfering holes in round surfaces (tubing) and other non-flat surfaces. You can get it to work, but it's confusing when adjusting the depth. As for the c'sinking, I've used JP's method before, but when tool tip diameters change, so must your calculations. I finally figure out you just punch the tool specifics in the drill calculator in Mastercam and it figures it out for you. Woo Hoo!!!!

I'm kind retarded and do things the hard way without knowing it for a while. I just figure out you can use to depth calculator in the drilling page to have it figure out the depth needed for a .510 x 82 c'sink!! As long as the tool is defined properly, diam, flat, angle, you just type in the desired diameter and BAM, magic!!!!!! Takes the guess work out, i hope, as long as it comes outa the machine correct.

Try thread milling multi-passes or top to bottom to lessen the forces induced. with it being a round part, won't take much to kick it sideways. Trapping with stops just forces more into the tool, spindle, part. I'd take some lighter cuts.

Yeah, seems like you should be able to combine the two as one finish pass, but I haven't been able to figure out how, either. Only way is another operation, which is fine for one timey. but doing it over and over through dozens of operations suks! I've always wondered why it works this way. Seems to me there should be a check box for "final depth & final pass at same time".

though morph between will work, as well and probably quicker. I do a surface on the left and one on the right that are perpendicular to the x-axis and then it's running pretty quickly.

rotary path, check surface normals, comp left or right, and climb or conv. cut. You should be able to get it to go left to right, not right to left. You may have to make some dummy surface to drive or comp to to get it right. Try a simple cylinder for drive and your others (part) for comp.

I saw that, as well. NX has made a kick@ss multi-axis advancement that has been a long time coming. I don't know of any way to do this, other than painful points, lines, etc... This manual jog toolpath for 5+ axis would be a huge bonus for mastercam to look into.

change the number of rough passes